Manga - The Apothecary Diaries
One of my Hobbies
The Apothecary Diaries is a Japanese light novel series written by Natsu
Hyūga and illustrated by Touko Shino. Since 2011, it has been serialized
online on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni
Narō.
Set in a fictional country, based on Imperial China during the Tang
Dynasty,the series follows Maomao, a young girl working as an apothecary
in the red-light district, who is kidnapped and sold to the Imperial
Palace as a servant. However, she still retains her curious and
eccentric personality and plans to work there until her years of
servitude are over, without drawing the attention of anyone. One day,
after hearing rumors that the emperor's children are critically ill, she
begins to investigate the cause, using her experience as an apothecary,
and successfully solves the mystery of their illness. Even though she
intends to remain anonymous, her actions eventually catch the attention
of an influential eunuch, and soon finds herself solving various
mysteries for the royal court.